Despite this, McCain’s getting much of the credit, due in part to his flare for the dramatic. On his way into the Senate chambers, McCain urged reporters to “watch the show.” And later, as he stood to vote, he extended a flat palm and paused before twisting his hand into a thumbs down. CNN called it, “John McCain’s maverick moment.”

McCain has long known the value of combining politics with entertainment, especially in the realm of late night television. Always up for a little late-night mocking, he’s aware that moments like these can help humanize politicians and manipulate press.

In the last 20 years he’s appeared on Saturday Night Live (once to host), nearly all of the late night network shows and, per the Los Angeles Times, was one Jon Stewart’s most frequent Daily Show guests in the early 2000s.